Mountable disc display device

ABSTRACT

A display device is provided comprising one or more masking discs being printed on a surface and a transparent area for viewing printed matter on a substrate disc such as a compact disc. A masking disc or a protective layer includes a bushing extending through a central hole of the compact disc so that each masking disc and substrate disc are rotatably mounted relative to each other. The bushing cooperates with a securing disc to maintain the masking discs and substrate disc together. The securing disc includes means for mounting the display device on a substrate independent of the display device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an information display device capable ofproviding information visually or digitally and visually. Moreparticularly this invention relates to such a display device havingmeans for storing the device.

Prior to the present invention, display devices have been provided whichinclude a wheel rotatable within a stationary mask having one or moreopen windows. Information on this rotatable wheel is viewed through thewindow(s) to provide information to the viewer. In the case of multiplewindows, information can be coordinated to relate to the same generalsubject to provide more in-depth information as compared to the use of asingle window. The stationary mask also can be printed with furtherinformation such as a summary of the information which appears on therotatable disc. The rotatable wheel is mounted on an eyelet or the likesecured to the mask and extending through a central hole in the wheel topermit the desired wheel rotation within the mask. While the displaydevices have enjoyed wide use, the information they provide is quitelimited by the size of the wheel, generally 4 to 8 inches in diameter,and the surface area. In addition, these devices are not provided with ameans for storing them so that they can be misplaced easily.

Optical discs, and especially those commonly known as compact discs(CD'S), are widely used as a non-volatile storage medium for audio andvideo programs and other data. Such discs have an aluminum-coated pittrack containing data that is encased by protective layers ofpolycarbonate plastic on both the label (non-read- side and data-readside. The plastic's optical characteristics enable the optical laserpickup to be focused on the pit track through the data-read side of thedisc. However, if the plastic surface on the data-read side becomesscratched, permanent mistracking and skipping problems can occur due tothe laser beam becoming misdirected. In addition, severe scratches oneither side of the disc that penetrate to the pit track can destroy thedata contained therein.

It would be desirable to provide an information display device whichincludes means for storing it thereby to provide ease of access to theuser. In addition, it would be desirable to provide such an informationdisplay device which can provide access to visual information alone ortogether with encoded information such as digitally encoded information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, one or more masking discs and asubstrate disc are each printed with a pattern, each on one surface sothat the printed patterns interact to provide the user with information.By the term "interact" as used herein is meant that the discs can berotated relative to each other so that visual information on the discscan be selectively viewed through clear areas on the discs whichfunction as windows. The discs are rotatably mounted relative to eachother on an axis which extends through a central hole in the substratedisc mounting. Means for securing the display device on an independentsubstrate extends through a centrally located hole in the substratedisc. The securing mean can include a mechanical means such as a hook, amagnetic means, an adhesive surface, intertwining fibers or the like tosecure the display device on the independent substrate.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a display device whichincludes a compact disc (CD) having encoded information which can beaccessed to produce visual and/or audio information as well as visualinformation which is not encoded. One or more masking discs arerotatably mounted on the compact disc. The discs are provided withvisual information and the masking discs have at least one clear areawhich functions as a window to permit selective viewing of visualinformation on a surface of another disc. A layer of protective materialcan be positioned between the discs to protect the discs againstscratching. Means are provided for securing the discs together and formounting the secured discs on a separate support substrate. One disc cancomprise a compact disc which includes digitally encoded informationwhich can be converted to audio and/or visual information. An unprintedsurface remote from the masking discs comprising the bottom surface ofthe substrate disc can be coated with a protective layer which permitsuse of the device as an insulated support such as a coaster. The encodedsurface of the disc can be covered with a layer of hand removablepolymeric material that is held by static electricity attraction which,in turn, can have a printed surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of one embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the masking disc utilized in the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of this inventionutilizing a plurality of windows.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of thisinvention having a plurality of masking discs.

FIG. 8 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with this invention, a display device is provided whichincludes a substrate disc which can be a compact disc having informationencoded thereon, e.g., digitally encoded on a compact disc-read onlymemory (CD-ROM) or a disc which does not include encoded information.The encoded information can be audio and/or visual. The encodedinformation can be accessed with any conventional audio disc player orpersonal computer. A surface of the substrate disc also is printed withvisual unencoded information such as a calendar, information regarding aproduct line for sale, food or drink recipes or the like.

One or more masking discs are positioned on the substrate disc and arerotatable with respect to the compact disc. Each masking disc is printedwith a pattern, for example which can include one or a plurality ofwindows or one or more patterns which interact with a pattern on thecompact disc to provide visual information from a combination of thepatterns. The masking discs and the substrate disc are mounted togetherby a fastening means secured directly to a masking disc or indirectly toa protective layer secured to the masking disc and which extends througha central hole in the substrate disc and any remaining masking discs.

A bushing, such as a threaded bushing is utilized as a mounting meansfor the discs. The bushing can be secured to the masking disc to whichit is attached, directly or indirectly, by any conventional means suchas a securing disc that can be snap-fit or threaded or the like onto thebushing. The securing disc then is rotatable with the bushing and thedisc to which it is attached together as a unit relative to thesubstrate disc and wherein the axis of rotation comprising an axis whichextends through the center of the hole in the substrate disc. Anyremaining masking discs are rotatable on the bushing independently ofthe substrate disc and of the masking disc to which the bushing isattached, directly or indirectly.

The bottom surface of each masking disc adjacent the substrate disc canbe coated with a protective layer which minimizes or prevents scratchingof the printed surfaces when the discs are rotated relative to eachother. A suitable protective layer can comprise a fibrous polymericlayer such as a TYVEK® sheet available from DuPont Corporation or thelike.

The masking discs can be printed either on a top surface remote from thesubstrate disc or on a bottom surface adjacent the substrate disc. Themasking discs are formed from a transparent or translucent polymericmaterial so that the pattern printed thereon can be viewed to interactwith the pattern printed on the substrate disc. Representative suitablepolymeric materials include polyacrylic acid, polyacrylates,polymethacrylates, polycarbonates or the like.

The securing disc is provided with means for securing the display deviceto a support. This means can comprise a mechanical securing means suchas a hook, interlocking fibers on two surfaces such as a VELCRO®fastener or the like or a magnetic material or an adhesive surface orthe like. The magnetic material comprises a preferred embodiment of thisinvention and can be utilized to secure the display device to a supportformed of a ferromagnetic material such as is found on a refrigeratorhaving a ferromagnetic housing or door or ferromagnetic file cabinet.Suitable magnets are formed from metal or polymeric magneticcompositions.

This invention will be described hereinafter with reference to a compactdisc having digitally encoded audio and/or visual information as thesubstrate disc. However, it is to be understood that the substrate discneed not be a compact disc but can comprise a disc which has one surfaceprinted with a pattern but without digitally encoded information.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display device 10 includes a compact disc 12having information 14 printed on a top surface 16 and which has acentral hole 18. The second or masking disc 20 includes a printed topsurface 22 and/or a printed bottom surface 24 having a pattern 19 whichincludes a window 26 comprising an unprinted transparent area. Thetransparent area 26 permits viewing of the printed area 14 on thecompact disc. A bushing 28, such as a threaded bushing is secured to thebottom surface 24 of the disc 20. In an alternative preferredembodiment, the bushing 28 is secured to protective layer 30 and thehole 34 is eliminated.

A protective layer 30 is secured to the bottom surface 24 of the maskingdisc 20. The protective layer 30 is made of a low friction,non-scratching material such as a non-woven fibrous layer, e.g., TYVEK®non-woven fiber sheet. The protective layer 30 includes a window 32positioned adjacent window 26 to permit viewing of the printed matter14.

The compact disc 12 and masking disc 20 have the protective layer 30secured thereto and are secured together by extending bushing 28 throughholes 34 and 18 and screwing threaded securing disc 36 thereon. Thebottom surface 38 of securing disc 36 is provided with an attachmentmeans such as magnetic material, an adhesive or a mechanical means suchas a hook or suction cup, or the like, preferably a magnetic material tosecure the display device 10 to a substrate 40.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the display device 42 includes a maskingdisc 20 which has a printed top surface 22 and/or printed bottom surface24 having a pattern 19 which includes window 26. Masking disc 20includes a threaded bushing 28 secured to bottom surface 24.

Compact disc 12 having digitally encoded information also is printedwith patterns 14 on top surface 16 and has a centrally positioned hole18. Protective layer 30 having central hole 34 and window hole 32 issecured to the bottom surface 24 of masking disc 20.

A protective thermally insulating layer 46 having hole 48 is positionedadjacent compact disk 12.

Securing disc 36 having a magnetic material layer 40 and a threadablesection 39 is mounted on bushing 28 which, in turn, extends throughholes 34, 18 and 48. The disc 36 has a flat bottom surface 38 (see FIG.5), is threadably mounted on threaded bushing 28 and extends into recess50 of insulating layer 46 so that surface 38 of securing disc 36 andbottom surface 51 forms an essentially flat surface so that the displaydevice 42 also can function as a thermally insulating layer (coaster).The magnetic material 38 of securing disc 36 permits the display deviceto be mounted on a metal surface of a refrigerator or the like for easystorage. The coaster can be used when obtaining a cold beverage ofchoice from the refrigerator. Alternatively, a securing disc 36 can bemade entirely of a magnetic material.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface 24 of masking disc 20 includesprotective layer 30 such as formed from a TYVEK® non-woven fibrous layer30 having a window 33 secured to thereto. Bushing 28 can be secureddirectly to the layer 30.

As shown in FIG. 4, masking disc 60 has a plurality of transparentwindows 62, 64 and 66. A protective layer, when used in conjunction withmasking disc 60 also includes an open area or areas to permit viewing ofprinted matter on a top surface of a compact disc.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative means for mounting a display devicewhich is mounted also on a bushing is shown. The bushing (not shown)secured to a masking disc (not shown) extends through a central hole ofa compact disc 60 and is secured to a securing disc 62 which includes asuction cup 64 for attaching a display device of this invention to asubstrate.

Referring to FIG. 7, the masking disc 68 is generally larger thancompact disc 70. Masking disc 68 includes outer printed areas 72 andtransparent area 74. Outer printed areas 76, middle printed areas 77 andinner printed areas 78 are provided on compact disc 70. A row oftransparent windows is provided on masking disc 68 to view a single rowof areas 76, 77 and 78. The transparent windows are surrounded by anopaque area 79. The masking disc and compact disc need not be the sameareas or surface configuration so that the term "disc" as utilizedtherein is not limited to a disc having circular surface area but caninclude any area configuration.

Referring to FIG. 8, a display device is shown having a plurality ofmasking discs. Masking disc 80 is adhered to protective layer 82 which,in turn, has a threaded bushing 84 adhered thereto. The disc 80 includesprinted information 86, a radially outwardly positioned transparentwindow 88 and a radially inwardly positioned transparent window 90.Protective layer 82 includes window 91 which registers with window 88.Window 92 registers with window 90. Masking disc 81 has a largerdiameter than the masking disc 80 and includes printed information 83positioned radially outward of perimeter 85 of disc 80 so that theinformation 83 can be viewed when disc 80 is positioned on disc 81. Disc81 includes a plurality of radially outwardly positioned windows 87which are registerable with window 91 so that information 89 onsubstrate or compact disc 93 can be viewed through windows 87 and 88,Windows 95 are positioned on protective disc 97. Securing disc 99,having inner thread 94 is screwed onto threaded bushing 84 to secure thediscs 80, 81 and 93 together. Securing disc 99 has a magnetic layer 96to secure the display device to a ferromagnetic substrate. Additionalmasking discs with appropriately positioned windows and havingappropriate diameters to view information on all the discs also can beprovided. The masking discs having a hole therethrough and which are notcoated with a protective layer also can function as a compact dischaving encoded audio and/or video information only in disc areas thatneed not be transparent to permit viewing of information on anotherdisc.

I claim:
 1. A disc display device which comprises:a first disc formed ofa plastic material having a first flat printed surface and a first holeon said first disc, at least one masking disc formed of a plasticmaterial having a second printed surface, a flat bottom surface and atleast one first transparent area for viewing at least a portion of saidfirst printed surface, said first printed surface of said first discpositioned to be viewed through said at least one transparent area, oneof said at least one masking disc having a bushing secured thereto andpositioned to extend through said first hole, a securing means securedto said bushing to permit said first disc and said at least one maskingdisc to rotate relative to each other and, a magnet means on saidsecuring means to attach said display device to a substrate independentof said display device.
 2. The display device of claim 1 wherein saidbushing is secured to a protective layer and said protective layer issecured to one of said at least one masking disc and wherein saidprotective layer has at least one second open or transparent area topermit viewing of at least a portion of printed matter on said firstdisc and/or on a second masking disc when said at least one firsttransparent area is aligned with said at least one second open ortransparent area.
 3. The display device of claim 2 which includes athermally insulating layer positioned between said first disc and saidsecuring means, said thermally insulating layer having a hole into whichsaid bushing extends to be secured to said securing means.
 4. Thedisplay of claim 1 wherein said first disc includes encoded audio and/orvisual information.
 5. The display device of claim 4 which includes athermally insulating layer positioned between said first disc and saidsecuring means, said thermally insulating layer having a hole into whichsaid bushing extends to be secured to said securing means.
 6. Thedisplay device of claim 2 wherein said first disc includes encoded audioand/or visual information.
 7. The display device of claim 6 whichincludes a thermally insulating layer positioned between said first discand said securing means, said thermally insulating layer having a holeinto which said bushing extends to be secured to said securing means. 8.The display device of claim 1 which includes a thermally insulatinglayer positioned between said first disc and said securing means, saidthermally insulating layer having a hole into which said bushing extendsto be secured to said securing means.
 9. The display device of any oneof claims 1, 2, 4, or 6, wherein said first disc has a larger surfacearea then said second masking disc.
 10. The display device of any one ofclaims 1, 2, 4, or 6, which includes a second masking disc having a flatbottom surface and wherein said first disc has a larger surface areathan said second masking disc.
 11. The display device of any one ofclaims 1, 2, 4, or 6, wherein said display device includes a pluralityof masking discs each having a flat bottom surface.